Crucible Curtain Comes Up Again On World Class Squash

Eventis Sports Marketing Ltd, the company led by former world number one Peter Nicol, have confirmed that once again they will be bringing the world's greatest players to the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield this summer.

The Mamut English Open will take place from the 15-19 August 2006 and will be the first major event of the 2006/7 season, starting things in style by attracting many of the top 16 players in the world. Nicol, who has just returned from a spectacular performance at the Commonwealth Games where he picked up two Gold medals, is one of the promoters behind the 5-star event on the PSA Tour.

"The Crucible is now starting to become an established name in the world of squash," said Nicol, who has dominated the world rankings for the past six years. "It is a magnificent setting for squash and we are excited at the prospect of returning to its world renowned stage this August. All the feedback we had last year was of a positive nature, so we are absolutely delighted to announce that Mamut Business Software are returning for the third year as title sponsor."

This year's hosting sponsor is again Sheffield City Council with Capita Symonds and the Hilton Sheffield back on board as sponsors of this already famous event.

Tim Garner, one of Nicol's business partners at Eventis Sports Marketing, explains: "Last year's event was a fantastic success and we have built up a very good relationship with the city's Major Sports Event Unit and the other sponsors involved in the event. The elevation to 5-star status will ensure that we get most of the world's top 10 in attendance and continue to raise the profile of this already prestigious event."

Alan Moody, managing director of Mamut, explained: "We are delighted to be involved with squash in the UK and, specifically, to be the title sponsor of the Mamut English Open squash championship in Sheffield for the third year running. Mamut is going from strength to strength in providing small businesses with software solutions that simplify the way they do business and, in recognition of that, we are delighted to announce that this year we have increased our commitment to the tournament, making it one of the most prestigious in the world. As such, we look forward to once again welcoming the very best players in the world to Sheffield's Crucible Theatre."

Sheffield itself is also embracing the event: "Sheffield is very pleased and excited to offer its support once more to the Mamut English Open Squash Championships at the World famous Crucible Theatre right in the heart of Sheffield City Centre in August 2006," commented Gary Clifton, Sheffield's Major Sports Events Manager. "This event has brought the world's top squash players to the city and has become firmly established on the city's ever growing major sports events programme. We very much look forward to working with Eventis on what I know will be an event of the highest order."

Tickets are now available from two sources this year: www.Sheffieldtheatres.co.uk (0114 249 6000) and www.iSportTicketing.com (0870 220 0735)